Columbus Crew score fastest MLS playoff goal in history

The NY Red Bulls have drawn rave reviews in 2015 for the play of their midfield, which you could argue was the best in MLS this season, but the Columbus Crew midfield provided a reminder on Sunday that their midfield is just as good, and capable of being even better.

It was the 25th goal of the year and fourth of the playoffs for Kamara, who was mindful the Crew’s work was not done if they hope to add a second MLS crown to their 2008 title.

Greg Berhalter’s side however had to wait until five minutes to full time to get their insurance goal as Kamara doubled the lead.

The hosts scored straight from kick-off as Justin Meram volleyed in after just nine seconds for the fastest goal in MLS play-off history. Crew SC deployed a high press that forced the Red Bull backline and midfield into repeated misfiring passes forward. Columbus executed wonderfully on both counts in the first leg. It is down to the Red Bulls to muster a similar response on home soil to draw Grella and Sam into the game, force those Crew SC fullbacks to adopt more conservative positions and provide Wright-Phillips with a supply line located somewhere other than the corner flag. The opener originated from a Tyson Wahl long ball, which found the head of MLS’ c0-goalscoring champion Kei Kamara.

With a current aggregate score of 2-0 in favor of Columbus, here’s how things will play out given the different possible outcomes at Red Bull Arena next Sunday.

Crew SC continued to attack and it was a team effort.

While the Red Bulls’ fullbacks failed to make their mark, the Crew fullbacks were excellent. Second half substitute Cedrick Mabwati mauled the Red Bull defense, cutting back and losing both Dax McCarty and Gonzalo Veron in one fell swoop, then riding Felipe on net towards a blast on Luis Robles.

The Timbers beat top-seeded FC Dallas 3-1 with a dominant performance in the first leg of the Western Conference Championship series Sunday in front of 21,144 fans at Providence Park.

On a play they’ve run on almost every kickoff this season, Wil Trapp played a long ball to Kamara, who played it on to Ethan Finlay.

“It’s been annoying not to get one”, Ridgewell said.